Honey & Blood: Cycles of Life

I had the opportunity to hear much of the content of this CD set performed live during Jordi Savall's "Bal-Kan" tour. Right after the concert I was itching to hear some of the songs again, so I searched and purchased Balkan Spirit. That CD was excellent, but it didn't contain much of what I had heard them perform. Especially missing were some of the great vocal pieces like the folk song Dui Dui, Deshudui.Thankfully, Alia Vox has published this set which not only every song they performed during that concert series, but a few more alongside in a 3 CD set. It's worth mentioning that there is some overlap with Balkan Spirit, but I would guess only 5 or 6 tracks. Even then, many of the shared tracks are actually rearranged. Though the book is 616 pages like the description says, like other Alia Vox books, it is very multilingual. While this to me is a plus, especially given the lovely plates, it does mean there are not 616 pages of original content. The recordings are definitely set in a studio, and are up to the usual quality I have found in other Hesperion XXI CDs. There is never any clipping, the stereo is expansive but tight enough to be satisfying, and the dozens of instruments are really well balanced. I would say that the album is primarily vocal, though there are a number of purely instrumental arrangements. There are 7 gapless tracks at the end of the third disc.The CDs are organized following life through the seasons. Like the title indicates, mood shifts and instrumentation changes tell the parallel stories of a group of cultures at times at war and in peace. In its closing, it combines different folk songs and instrumentals into a moving meditation on the idea of reconciliation and unity. Because of the variety of cultures represented, Savall brings out all of the stops in gathering a diverse array of vocalists and instrumentalists: many I recognized from previous CDs, but a few I was less familiar with. The performances are excellent, especially Jordi Savall as he dances between different styles and traditions. I think they did a good job of capturing in the studio the kind of energy that the live performance had. Standout tracks for me include: Tillirkotissa; Zaplakala e vdovitsa; Ben bir göcmen Kizi; Dui Dui, Demonori; and the 2 final instrumental/vocal tracks.I was hesitant in buying set this given the expense, however, given my love for this kind of music, it was definitely a worthwhile purchase.

A lot of varied and interesting music, including Roma/Tsigane, excellently performed and produced.

Jordi Savall is extraordinary, and this issue is as well...I never understood where the work "Balkans" came from, having worked as a journalist in that region in the 90's it was appropriate to hear the complex blend of styles in a very complex neighborhood. And to have a comprehensive book to explain all of this is a real plus, I have others in this series including Jerusalem.

This 3 sacd set is fantastic. It offers a journey in to a sound world long lost and enviable. Exotic and hypnotic music is a time travel machine extra-ordinaire!An international cast of musicians is curated and led by Jordi Savall--surely the best proponent of early musickes out there.Buy it today because the music, thought, and scholarship that has gone in to this creation is first class.

First CD book bought from Hesperion. What a super purchase, high quality music and recording and a great book in multiple languages with the history of the music. Highly recommended.

Absolutely stunning collection of works! I really enjoyed these recordings and the included book. Very informative and interesting. Thanks to Jordi for bringing this to the masses!

This is a very very interesting and beautiful recording.

I would recommend this book and CDs to anyone with an interest in traditional music, both sung and instrumental.The music is diverse and the book is a hardcover tome in multiple languages, include English, French, German, Hungarian, Greek, Turkish, Romanian, Serbian, Italian, Castillian Spanish, Catalan and Russian. The actual book content is not huge as it is obviously replicated in each language, but there are photos of the various regions associated, the musicians, and lovely illustrations. The three CDs are slotted into the front and back covers, so it might be worth getting a soft sleeve for the CDs themselves at some point, in case they stick to the cardboard ones.If you, a friend or relative is learning an instrument or musical style associated with the Balkans, this might be a nice gift. Some instruments featured include the oud, a lyra/lira, tambura, any hammered dulcimer, accordion, any end-blown traditional flute, and a number of more common instruments played in regional styles.Anyway, I'm not learning any instrument: I just like the music. There's plenty of variety and to find a collection like this is great!

I am a big fan of Jordi Savall and his many collaborations. I particularly enjoy following his musical journeys through the Balkans, Turkey and the Middle East. This three disc set did not disappoint in any way and was an absolute delight. If anyone wants to know why the music of Eastern Europe sounds so distinctive this set will give you a scholarly but very accessible introduction.

Surprisingly wonderful, though thematic the balance is prefect, an ensemble par excel...

I've just reviewed three other sets in this beautiful format,book and discs etc. by this man, and this is my least favorite. Worry not, that means it is only wonderful, not amazingly wonderful.

Classic Jordi's Savall. Excellent musicianship and a really interesting selection of Balkan music. Really atmospheric and as with all Alia Vox recordings, the audio quality is superb.